Top tips to make your CV stand out

Your written resume is often the first impression a prospective employer will get of you, your credentials, capabilities and suitability. Discover the top tips four of Shell’s HR Recruitment Managers have to share.

We all know how important having a good curriculum vitae (CV) is in applying for a new job. Your written resume is often the first impression a prospective employer will get of you, your credentials, capabilities and suitability. Four HR Recruitment Managers from Shell share their advice through their top tips for CVs.

General CV advice

Tip #1: Make sure that it looks good at a glance

“You need to make an immediate impression. So I need to be interested in under a minute.” Janice

Tip #2: Include themost recent and relevant experience first

“Up front, put relevant work experience and the highest level of education. This should ideally include a summary of experiences and the impact made: the positive results created – commercial and otherwise.” Eveline

Tip #3: Make it well rounded – show what you do outside of work too

“I often also look for what the applicant does outside work: for the community for example. It gives a different perspective at the start.” Teghan

Tip #4: Define the outcomes and impacts you’ve made

“Avoid vague. Where possible define clearly – use metrics if you can – your achievements: the outcomes and impacts you’ve brought about in your work. I encourage candidates to make their work experiences as concrete as possible.” Eveline

Work history

Tip #5: Tailor your CVto the specific job you are applying for

“Be specific. Tailor your CV to the job. Be honest. If your job has been made redundant at some stage, be open about that; it too is work experience that’s relevant. Managing change is a skill worth highlighting.” Winny

Tip #6: Be concise

“Keep it ‘tight and bright’. Provide a succinct summary of your experience and qualifications; make this clearly and directly relevant to the role applied for. Provide also a separate short list of other experience you’ve gained, at work or otherwise, which allows us to see your other qualities. Keep them relevant to the job.” Janice

Format

Tip #7: Keep it to 2 to 3 pages

“It should be about 2 to 3 pages depending on the nature of the role. Ideally keep it short and simple and well laid out so it’s easy to read. Chronological development of your career is the simplest way to present your work experience.” Teghan

Personal information

Tip #8: Keep it relevant

“Focus on keeping your CV to the point. Only add out-of-work experience if it relates to the role applied for. Volunteer and community work helps: not so much about your hobbies or pets. I like numbers and metrics as they show you get the importance to business of measurements like this. Photos are optional – they don’t influence the calibre of your CV.” Winny

Profiles of the Shell HR Recruitment Managers

Janice: SEA Cluster Recruitment Manager

Teghan: Recruitment Manager, Australia and NZ

Winny: Recruitment Manager, China and HK

Eveline: Recruitment Manager, Qatar

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